Costotransverse ligament

The costotransverse ligament (lat. l. costotrasversarium) connects the transverse processes of two or more ribs with the articular surface of the body of the tooth of the same name. This ligament is a mesenchymal (connective tissue) fibrous cord directed almost horizontally, from front to back and from top to bottom. The intermuscular nerve plexus passes through the thickness of the ligament and is supplied with blood by branches of the transverse cervical artery. Function: prevents deflection and rotation of the rib head in the mouth during contraction; Provides strength and stability to the spine.